Can A Developer Remove Items From A Foreclosed Or Abandoned Condo Unit?

December 21, 2009|Posted by Daniel Vasquez on December 21, 2009 12:21 PM

Octavio in Oakland Park reports his developer appears to be removing items - including a water heater - from foreclosed or abandoned units - and wants to know whether that can be done legally?

Unless the developer owns the units, I do not believe he or anyone without ownership rights is allowed by law to be removing anything. If the developer sold a unit now in foreclosure, he should not be able to go back into said unit, abandoned or not, to remove items. But this could be a complicated legal issue and would need the consultation of an attorney.

Octavio has contacted his property manager to find out what's going on. Maybe he should be notifying his board directors too. He also called the cops, who said the couldn't do anything unless the bank or other owner files a complaint.

What do you say? I would love to hear back from attorneys, property managers or anyone else who has experience with such removals?